The writer Peter J Brown (Bandwagon, 9.5.07) stated that "some of us are a little suspicious of the Middlesbrough independents".

Is Mr Brown referring to the independent councillors in general who were elected (and some re-elected) or those led by Ken Walker and registered officially as MI - Mbro Independents?

Of the 15 candidates fielded by Councillor Walker, not one was elected other than himself. Neither myself, Cllr Barbara Dunne nor Cllr Kevin Morby were part of that 15, nor have we ever stood as a councillor under a political banner.

No doubt the other independent councillors in Middlesbrough will speak for themselves. As for "holding together" - the whole point of being independent is that we can vote together and support whatever we feel will benefit our wards and the town if we think it's best.

On the other hand, if we don't agree with what is proposed, any one of us can vote against it.

Under Labour, each councillor must do as the party whip tells them to do - otherwise it's curtains for them! I am reliably informed that before a vote in the council chamber, Labour councillors are given a prompt sheet which tells them how they must vote. That is something which we independents could never accept.